Wrong-way Drunk Driver Sentenced

GLOUCESTER — A Gloucester County Circuit Court judge upheld Tuesday a July 19 ruling in the case of an illegal immigrant who was driving drunk when his car sideswiped a Virginia State Police trooper in June.

Circuit Court Judge Von L. Piersall Jr. sentenced Alfonso Cedillo Maldonado to 18 months in prison after the Mexican native pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and driving without a license. Maldonado, who is being held without bond on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency detainer, appealed the original ruling out of Gloucester General District Court.

"The court and the law cannot condone the egregious behavior you have demonstrated," Piersall told Maldonado before levying the maximum penalty allowed. "You're very lucky you're not here on a manslaughter charge."

Maldonado was traveling north in the southbound lane of Route 17 in Gloucester when he struck the patrol car of state police trooper Maxwell H. Williamson, who was investigating a report of a vehicle traveling against traffic.

Trooper Williamson testified Tuesday that he suffered a bulging disc in the accident and is still on disability.

After the accident, Maldonado's blood alcohol content was measured at 0.26, or more than triple the legal limit.

Immigration officials have said Maldonado will face deportation after he serves his time for the drunken-driving accident.